New York writers still in denial

[djohn2oo8]

There went the Heat out of the NBA playoffs Tuesday night, again with a whimper, as Dwyane Wade (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Dwyane+Wade) was eliminated in the first round for the third time in the four seasons since he was seen holding the Finals MVP trophy in Dallas (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Dallas).

Maybe Miami (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Miami+Heat)'s latest playoff loss will be the Knicks (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/New+York+Knicks)' gain ...
Now, with Wade unable to get more than a win against an aged Celtic team, the speculation will start about his future. Will he believe in Pat Riley (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Pat+Riley)'s ability to rebuild the Heat into a champion again and re-up with his original team? Or will he opt to leave for a really bad Knicks team this summer?

If Wade comes to New York, it'd be because he doesn't think Riley can surround him with the talent necessary to win a second title, and also because LeBron James (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/LeBron+James) would have given the Knicks the answer they don't want to hear.

If LeBron tells the Knicks, "Thanks, but I'm staying," they're expected to make a run at Wade. Only then. And why not? You're not getting James or Kobe Bryant (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Kobe+Bryant), but probably the third-best player on the planet. If you saw Wade's 46-point outburst on Sunday in Miami's lone win against Doc Rivers (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Doc+Rivers)' team, you can see why he's every bit as good as he was in 2006.

The Knicks have the same thing to sell Wade that they can sell James on: The ability to come to New York with a second marquee player. Wade doesn't have one of those wing men in Miami, but he could stay there because the Heat has the cap space to pursue Chris Bosh (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Chris+Bosh) in free agency.

So it could be Riley against his old team when free agency opens. Lately, Riley has lost the touch he had when he managed to bring Shaquille O'Neal (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Shaquille+O'Neal) to Miami while he still had something in his tank. Although Shaq was the Heat's second-best center, after Alonzo Mourning (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Alonzo+Mourning), in the championship drive, he still made a difference.

But Riley hasn't had the same touch since the Heat raised its championship banner, and that is something the Knicks can use in trying to convince Wade that he should come to New York. If, of course, James isn't coming.

The Knicks can use the fact that since the Heat won the title, Wade has not gotten a sniff of the second round. This has been what he's been stuck with in South Beach (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/South+Beach+(Staten+Island)):

2007: A team that was swept out of the first round by Chicago (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Chicago), which lost in the second round to a Detroit (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Detroit) team that was swept by Cleveland (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Cleveland+Cavaliers) in the East finals.

2008: A team that finished with a league-worst 15-67 record when Wade missed 31 games. A terrible year got worse at the lottery, when the Bulls (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Chicago+Bulls) jumped over the Heat for the No. 1 pick, meaning that they got Derrick Rose (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Derrick+Rose), while Riley had to settle for Michael Beasley (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Michael+Beasley). If Riley had to do it all over, rather than pick Beasley, who has often been out to lunch, he'd have taken Russell Westbrook (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Russell+Westbrook), who went fourth to Oklahoma City (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Oklahoma+City+Thunder) and has burst on the scene in his first playoff run, at the Lakers (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Los+Angeles+Lakers)' expense.

2009: Another first-round ouster, against an Atlanta (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Atlanta) team that was easily swept out of the second round by the Cavs, who went on to lose to Orlando (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Orlando+Magic) in the East Finals in six.
2010: The latest first-round exit, against a Celtic team that figures to put up a fight but still lose to the Cavaliers in the second round. In its series against Boston (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Boston+Celtics), all the Heat did was to show how little talent Wade gets to play with.

Wade can leave Miami knowing that he did all he could for the franchise. Before he got there, it had never made an NBA Finals (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/National+Basketball+Association). But he's played in front of sparse and indifferent crowds in a city owned by the Dolphins. He wouldn't have that problem if he came to the Garden.

The Knicks would probably need to get a commitment from Bosh for Wade to give New York serious thought. He would be a step down from James, but as long as Wade brought along Bosh, Knick fans would take to him in a New York minute.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_time_for_wade_to_weigh_knicks.html

[Halberto]

Bosh has said many times already he will only go where he will be the first option. Don't these people make a living talking sports? The Wade and Bosh idea is done.

[Darthkiller]

Bosh has said many times already he will only go where he will be the first option. Don't these people make a living talking sports? The Wade and Bosh idea is done.

this

[Cane]

If you have Wade and Bosh on the same team they're both first options and I'd take what any of these guys say about the future with a grain of salt. Money and location is whats really going to talk and getting out of Canada to get a long term NBA deal before the CBA would be a priority for Bosh.

Of the great guards in the league I only see Joe Johnson moving. Of the possible bigs, I only see Bosh and maybe Boozer getting signed up elsewhere.

A lot of ballclubs are going to be fucked next year. Lebron, Wade, and Amar'e are probably all sticking with their ballclub barring a huge meltdown for the Cavs and PHX.

[Findog]

The Heat have the cap space to add a max contract. Wade isn't going anywhere.

[Thunder Dan]

the knicks are pathetic. They are like that crazy chick in high school who thinks she is way hotter than she is, and may more important than she is and can't find a date to the prom

[DDS4]

Knicks will be fucked. They've sold hope and hype for 2 years. Enjoy giving Rudy Gay a max contract.

[MiamiHeat]

that writer actually thinks Riley has "lost his touch" ?

what a dumbass. riley has been intentionally waiting for the 2010 off-season for 2 seasons now. he has avoided taking on ANY long-term contract that would fuck up 2010.

that's not losing his touch. that's preparation and long-term planning to rebuild in 2010.

[Darthkiller]

Knicks will be fucked. They've sold hope and hype for 2 years. Enjoy giving Rudy Gay a max contract.

donnie walsh knows what he is doing, he already said he wont overpay for guys just dont deserve it.

I have a feeling the knicks will make a huge push for chris paul this summer.

I think when it's all said and done

knicks roster

Cp3
Fernandez
Gallinari
Lee
Okafor

[djohn2oo8]

donnie walsh knows what he is doing, he already said he wont overpay for guys just dont deserve it.

I have a feeling the knicks will make a huge push for chris paul this summer.

I think when it's all said and done

knicks roster

Cp3
Fernandez
Gallinari
Lee
Okafor

The Hornets won't trade CP3. And if they traded him, New York has NOTHING that could be useful to New Orleans, and I read somewhere that David Lee is not expected to return to the Knicks

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Cp3
Fernandez
Gallinari
Lee
Okafor

:lol that team is what their 2 year cost cutting project was for?

[Cane]

that writer actually thinks Riley has "lost his touch" ?

what a dumbass. riley has been intentionally waiting for the 2010 off-season for 2 seasons now. he has avoided taking on ANY long-term contract that would fuck up 2010.

that's not losing his touch. that's preparation and long-term planning to rebuild in 2010.

He's got a lot to answer for after those contracts given to Shaq and Jermaine and the overall disappointing performance since.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

He's got a lot to answer for after those contracts given to Shaq and Jermaine and the overall disappointing performance since.


Not really, their plan was to mortgage 5 years to win a championship in 2006. Fortunately for them they won it by the skin of their teeth, but everyone pretty much knew Miami was gonna be fucked for awhile after their championship.

[Cane]

Not really, their plan was to mortgage 5 years to win a championship in 2006. Fortunately for them they won it by the skin of their teeth, but everyone pretty much knew Miami was gonna be fucked for awhile after their championship.

Yes really imo, simply a bad move to give those O'Neals huge contracts especially since it made Miami such a shitty team afterwards. The championship was the reasoning for it but still a bad move especially in hindsight.

They haven't really drafted anyone worth a damn or made decent trades since then either; the Heat is a shitty ass team and it hasn't looked good for anyone involved with that franchise imo.

If they can't bring a great big man over, which there is a chance for especially since the Bulls have a better supporting cast and there are other teams with space too, then its been all for shit.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Yes really imo, simply a bad move to give those O'Neals huge contracts especially since it made Miami such a shitty team afterwards. The championship was the reasoning for it but still a bad move especially in hindsight.

They haven't really drafted anyone worth a damn or made decent trades since then either; the Heat is a shitty ass team and it hasn't looked good for anyone involved with that franchise imo.

If they can't bring a great big man over, which there is a chance for especially since the Bulls have a better supporting cast and there are other teams with space too, then its been all for shit.


It hasn't really been all for shit considering they won a championship. I'd be willing to take 5 years of shit if it meant the Suns would win a championship.

[Cane]

It hasn't really been all for shit considering they won a championship. I'd be willing to take 5 years of shit if it meant the Suns would win a championship.

Not in this economy, Miami can't afford to give out shitty contracts again.

Only hope is if Wade sticks around and there's no reason for him to do so if they can't get Bosh, Amar'e, or even Boozer. Especially since the young talent is pretty bad in Miami along with the rest of the lineup.

The Heat gave out some of the worst contracts the NBA has seen in the past few years and have failed to develop promising young talent unlike the Bulls.

Indicators that Riley has been declining imo.

[ffadicted]

2007: A team that was swept out of the first round by Chicago (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Chicago), which lost in the second round to a Detroit (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Detroit) team that was swept by Cleveland (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Cleveland+Cavaliers) in the East finals.

... tha fawk?? Am I the only one that noticed this

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Not in this economy, Miami can't afford to give out shitty contracts again.

Only hope is if Wade sticks around and there's no reason for him to do so if they can't get Bosh, Amar'e, or even Boozer. Especially since the young talent is pretty bad in Miami along with the rest of the lineup.

The Heat gave out some of the worst contracts the NBA has seen in the past few years and have failed to develop promising young talent unlike the Bulls.

Indicators that Riley has been declining imo.


They gave out Shaq's contract, that's the only bad contract they gave out and they gave it in 2005. Wade has said that Miami is by far his first choice and he doesn't wanna go somewhere else, and Amare has expressed that he wants to play with Wade.

[Cane]

They gave out Shaq's contract, that's the only bad contract they gave out and they gave it in 2005. Wade has said that Miami is by far his first choice and he doesn't wanna go somewhere else, and Amare has expressed that he wants to play with Wade.

Looks horrible that two out of the top 5 highest paid NBA stars are the O'Neals. Also what the Heat have done outside of that is pretty lacking at best as well when it comes to drafting and keeping Wade happy enough.

I wonder which bigs will be available since it seems that the Jazz and Suns would be much better off keeping Boozer and Amar'e then not especially since the Suns have Robin Lopez. Bosh is the best bet but Chicago has a much brighter future with their talent than whatever the hell Miami is trying to offer.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Miami wasn't responsible for Jermaine's? Looks horrible that two out of the top 5 highest paid NBA stars are the O'Neals. Also what the Heat have done outside of that is pretty lacking at best as well when it comes to drafting and keeping Wade happy enough.

I wonder which bigs will be available since it seems that the Jazz and Suns would be much better off keeping Boozer and Amar'e then not especially since the Suns have Robin Lopez. Bosh is the best bet but Chicago has a much brighter future with their talent than whatever the hell Miami is trying to offer.


They traded for Jermaine O'neal's contract, it was given by Indiana. A year ago it was either trade Marion's expiring for Jermaine Oneal or make it so Wade would have even less help this year.

[Cane]

Ah thanks for the discussion. Heat have the capsapce and the fact that its Miami as selling points but if Bosh is the only big man looking for a team this summer...imo he'd be better off with the Bulls team.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Ah thanks for the discussion. Heat have the capsapce and the fact that its Miami as selling points but if Bosh is the only big man looking for a team this summer...imo he'd be better off with the Bulls team.


I agree and it's a sure thing Miami isn't getting Bosh, he said he only wants to be the main option. Chicago makes tons of sense for Bosh, he'd have a PG to run pick and rolls with and he'd still be the #1 scoring option.

His agent has backed off these comments, but at one point Amare's agent was saying there's a 90% chance Amare is going to Miami and other teams shouldn't even bother to offer a contract. The Suns haven't been aggressive enough making sure Amare knows they'll be offering a max contract, if they drag their feet Amare is almost a sure thing to end up in Miami.

[m33p0]

Bosh as first option? that's going to be a pathetic team.